Bra Fitting 101 For Large Chested Women
Supporting the breasts of a well-endowed woman is a serious
job, and not meant for the alluring but flimsy pieces of
lace we see in the store windows. In general, bras for large-breasted
women tend to be far less attractive and sensual than those
sold to our smaller-chested sisters. Some women have commented
that bras for large-breasted women often look as if they
were designed by the men that create tanks for the military,
and this is not too far off the mark. And while the bras
for smaller cup sizes may have only two or three rows of
hooks in the back, larger cup sizes are often accompanied
by as many as six, seven, or even eight rows of hooks to
fasten.
Accurately Fitting a Bra
There are two measurements involved in determining bra
size - band size, which measures around the ribs just below
the breasts, and cup size, which is derived from the difference
between the band size measurement and the total chest circumference.
Band sizes most often come in even numbers (with 28-44
being a common range), while cup sizes are alphabetical
- A, B, C, D, etc. There can be considerable differences
in how cup sizes are marked between manufacturers, but a
general rule of thumb is that an A cup represents a one
inch difference between band and chest measurement, a B
cup two inches, and so on. Also, for some companies, a DD
cup is simply how they describe an E cup, and for others,
a DD is actually midway between a D and an E cup. As many
large retailers only carry cup sizes up through a certain
level (often to DD or DDD), women with larger breasts often
find ways to 'make do' with smaller cup sizes. In general,
a woman can go up a band size for every cup size she has
to go down due to limited availability - so a woman who
measures to a 38G might be able to fit into a 40DDD/F or
a 42DD/E.
Making Do with the Wrong Size
In reality, however, such switches come with their own
price. Even if it's possible to put the bra on, problems
with the fit will often become apparent with extended use
over the course of a day. For example, wearing a band size
larger than indicated from measurements can lead to 'leakage'
of the breasts underneath the band. This can be incredibly
uncomfortable, especially with an underwire bra. Another
sign that the band size is too large is if it starts creeping
up the back over the course of the day - the band should
be at the same height in the front and the back, and should
be able to stay there across the day.
On top of this, a band that is too loose means that the
shoulder straps are serving as the primary support of the
weight of the breasts; in a properly fitted bra, the band
supports a good deal of the weight, easing the stress on
the shoulders2. Likewise, wearing a cup size smaller than
indicated can result in 'spillage' of the breasts over the
cups - while not generally physically painful, this can
be a rather unattractive sight, even when the woman is fully
clothed. Significant 'spillage' of this sort can even make
it look as if a woman has three or four breasts, instead
of two!
In this vein, a threat not to be taken lightly is that
of having one breast fall out of the bra completely. Risk
factors for 'breast escape' include:
Too small a cup size,
A bra with a demi (half) cup rather than a full coverage
cup, and
Activities that involve lots of bouncing.
If this should happen to you, try not to sink too deeply
into the ground - it's an experience that has been shared
by many large-breasted women. While it can be more convenient
(and tasteful) to retire to the ladies' restroom to resettle
your loose breast, experience has shown that this isn't
always a viable option - sometimes, you do just have to
grab it and stuff it back in.
Tactics for Better Bra Fit
Luckily, there are ways to deal with these problems. Most
lingerie stores, along with some larger department stores,
have women on staff who are specially trained in fitting
bras. While this may sound hideously embarassing, it really
doesn't need to be - the staff are generally unfailingly
professional. You can be measured while fully clothed, although
measuring while undressed can give the fitter a far better
idea of which bras will be best for your particular size
and shape. As the vast majority of women (large-breasted
or not) wear an improperly fitted bra, professional assistance
can be invaluable.
Shopping online is another avenue for the large-breasted
woman. While there are a greater array of sizes available
online, it's important to remember that a 38J from one company
will not necessarily be anything like a 38J from another.
Individual manufacturers will often post fitting guidelines
on their website, but sometimes the easiest way is simply
to order more than one size, and then return those that
don't fit.
Additionally, some such shops have alterations services,
that can alter existing bras to more closely fit the unique
shape of an individual woman. Such services are usually
priced quite reasonably, and can be well worth the money
and time involved. Bra accessories are also available to
help customise the fit of the bra - strap extenders and
shorteners, shoulder pads, etc.
Other women find that custom-made bras are the best way
to go - surprisingly, this is not always too much more expensive
than store-bought bras. There are companies that focus on
everything from custom-made bras for wedding and evening
gowns to unrestrictive bras made from organic cotton.
In the end, wearing a properly fitted bra can have a wide
array of advantages, including:
Comfort
Better posture
Less shoulder and back pain
Better fitting clothes
More energy
Feeling more free to be active
Wearing and Caring for Your Bra
The way in which you put on a bra can have a definite impact
on how well it fits and supports you throughout the day.
Professional bra fitters will often recommend that a woman
first fasten the band around the rib cage under the breasts,
and then 'lift' and place each breast individually into
the corresponding cup before adjusting the shoulder straps.
Sometimes further readjustment will be needed to enhance
symmetry. Next, if need be, pull the band in back down until
it is at the same height as in the front.
How you launder your bra will have a significant impact
on how long it lasts - and as bras for the large-breasted
generally don't come cheap, this is important. Retaining
the elasticity of the band is key, so handwashing and drying
the bra flat (rather than hanging it or putting it in a
drier) is suggested.
Beyond the Bra
In desperation, some large-breasted women have gone to
extreme lengths to find alternatives. Going entirely bra-free
may be a noticeable political statement, but can become
uncomfortable rather quickly. Likewise, binding the breasts
with athletic tape or fashioning a bra out of coconuts on
a string may be useful (or fun!) for a very specific purpose,
but probably won't be effective or worthwhile on a regular
basis. Women into bondage have found creative ways of supporting
(but not covering) breasts entirely with rope - while a
breath of fresh air, this method may not be usable in daily
life for most large-breasted women. Further, the support
offered might not be adequate for those with sagging or
extremely large breasts.
One option for breast containment and support is the corset,
which has been reported to be especially alluring in large-breasted
women. An additional advantage of the corset is that it
supports the breasts entirely from below, completely removing
the weight from the shoulders and back. As corsets also
emphasise the natural hourglass shape that many large-breasted
women have, they can be especially effective with evening
wear. The biggest disadvantage to corsets is that they often
need to be custom-made to fit well, and tend to be five
to ten times as expensive as the average bra. While slightly
less expensive ready-made corsets are available in some
stores, it is usually far more difficult to find a ready-made
corset that fits than it is to find a bra - there is, after
all, more of the body that needs fitting. Another issue
to take into consideration with corsets is that they take
some practice - a woman will need to find the best way of
putting on and doing it up for her needs, and will also
simply need to get used to wearing it.
And of Course...
When all else fails you can always hold them up with your
hands. The usefulness of this method should not be discounted
- especially after a long day at work or shopping, or while
exiting the shower, or when taking the stairs - supporting
one in each hand can provide quite a sense of relief.
